"Cautious welcome" for Tara Mines reopening plan

SIPTU has given a cautious welcome to today's statement that Tara Mines is to reopen in the second quarter of 2024.

However, the union has said that any further delays "would not be acceptable," citing the previous reopening in 2001.

John Regan, SIPTU Sector Organiser, said: "The tentative date given by Tara Mines today is a positive development. However, it could mean June 2024 for the first worker to return through the gates.

"If it took seven months before a full reopening, as it did in 2001 the last time the mine was put into care and maintenance, that would mean January 2025 at the earliest for all employees to return to the mine. That timeline would not be acceptable."

SIPTU has confirmed that the Group of Unions (GOU) at Tara Mines – SIPTU, Connect, and Unite – would be pressing ahead with a referral to the Labour Court and the hearing on 18th December this year.

The company has written to employees signalling its intention to present a rescue plan in early January 2024, after which it is intended to enter talks with the Group of Unions to discuss the proposals and seek to reach an agreement with them.

"If we can reach an agreement by the first week in February, our ambition is to re-open the mine in the second quarter in 2024, assuming that there is no significant deterioration in market conditions", according to the letter.

Tara Mines general manager Gunnar Nyström said it was a very significant move "to attempt to do this against the current external market backdrop, and the rescue plan must ensure an acceptable return on investment for shareholders, but the Boliden Group has agreed to support us in this objective."

"We will continue to work tirelessly to bring about a re-opening as early as possible. We are grateful to the Government for the support they have provided to date and will continue to engage with them on items that could potentially assist with an accelerated reopening of the mine, including mining licences and energy supports."

He said they are deeply conscious of how difficult the last few months have been for their employees and the wider community.

"The external backdrop remains very challenging due to a number of factors including current zinc prices and the cost of energy, which has settled at three times the level we saw two years ago. We also continue to face a series of operational challenges, which must be addressed in order to place the mine on a sustainable footing.

"Based on recent communications with the Group of Unions, we are determined to bring about a sustainable re-opening of the mine as soon as possible. We must address the operational challenges through a rescue plan, before we can re-open the mine. "

In this morning's letter to employees management said they were determined to do everything within their control to bring about the reopening of the mine on a sustainable basis.

"The rescue plan is being designed taking into consideration the initial Group of Union proposals from June '23 as well as best practice in the mining industry and Boliden Group."

Mr Regan said the unions received a mandate from their section committees to attend the Labour Court on a number of issues, including voluntary redundancy terms and securing the earliest possible date for a recommencement of operations at Tara Mines.

"We acknowledge the company’s late willingness to return to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) conciliation services. However, management's decision to terminate a number of workers' employments with the company in recent days severely undermines trust.

"That action is a clear breach of the WRC agreement, which provides for all workers to return to the mine with terms and conditions fully protected. Such a breach tarnishes the company's credibility when it comes to relying on state machinery in this case.

"The GOU is also concerned that the company has hired a contractor in recent days without any agreement or consultation with unions.

"That is another matter which leaves a bitter taste in the mouth of company employees and leaves industrial relations somewhat strained," he added.

"SIPTU believes that both of these issues would need to be resolved before members' faith in the state machinery was restored and unions could agree to attend WRC conciliation services."

Minister for Enterprise, Simon Coveney welcomed today’s announcement.

“I am very conscious of the ongoing impact that the closure of the mine is having on workers and their families, and on the wider community in County Meath. The Government recognises the strategic importance of the mining sector and we are committed to providing all possible assistance to facilitate an early reopening at Tara.

“Tara Mines has been officially onboarded as an Enterprise Ireland client, and Enterprise Ireland are actively engaging with the company on supports that can assist with an accelerated and sustainable resumption of operations.

“There are a number of factors that will impact on a reopening date and the relevant Government departments and agencies will continue to support ongoing efforts to address these.”